ITALIAN GARDENS
ITALIAN GARDENS
RENAISSANCERevival or rebirth of artRediscovery of classical
ideasIn architecture symmetry , proportion, order, measurements ,
etc.In the end of 14th century 1600, Italian renaissance was best
known for its cultural achievementsLiterature works Petrarch,
Eastiglione, machiavelliArtist Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci
Architecture Dumo in Florence, St.Peters basilica in
RomeGARDENSAxial planningExtension of its boundariesOutward
focused, expansive, more worldly gardenGardens dignified man
ENVIRONMENT
Climate and topography were indifferent.North flat plains of
Lombardy , chilled by the Alps. Centre river valleys and plains
which were mild in winter and hot in summer.South tropical
climateLandscape developed in three areas ; Tuscan , Rome, and
across the north from Genoa to Venice.
TUSCAN LANDSCAPE Composed of small hills and valleys enriched
with farm buildings and textured irregular patterns of olive and
vine plantations punctured with hardwood trees such as Ilex and
Cypress a domestic scene of green and grey foliage penetrated by
the yellow Arno.
ROMAN LANDSCAPEWide flat plain of poor farm and marsh lands
crossed by the remains of ancient and adequate roads.
EXPRESSIONSExpansive, outwardly directed more worldly gardenA
reflection of changing cosmological belief
PLANNING
Gardens were geometricalMain axis which ends with the main
building was balanced through one or more cross axes.Artificial
terraces were created to emphasize moreVisitors were given a
theatre seat
LANDSCAPE
Proportions were maintainedForm was crucialInterior of the house
thrust itself outwardsSites were usually on hillsides because of
views and climateDescending terraces were carved out of the garden
and harmonious with it.
FEATURES
Box parterreClipped hedgesDark Cypress and grooves of
IlexSculpture, stairways, pergolas, arborHuge grand giant
fountainsTerraces were designed with supporting walls, staircases,
balustrades and vasesStaircases were combined with pools and
fountains linked the terracesAmphitheatre and water facilities
played a major role in renaissance gardens
EVERGREEN PLANTS
Cypress trees
Pal trees
Bosco comprised of thick groove of evergreen trees used for
relaxing or walking beneath ( main purpose for shades)
Parterre : A low clipped box with coloured flowers designed in a
formal pattern.
Sculpture : classical, water, sitting relationships with
surroundings
PHASES
Phase : I - 1450 to 1503 (philosophical character) , gardens a
place of intimate context with nature (Giardino secret garden or
segreto )
Phase : II 1503 to 1573 (architects garden), gardens for
intellectual discussions and pleasure unity, harmony , use of
water.
Phase : III 1573 to 1775 The realization of Baroque ideas ,
forms of nature had always been appreciated and now the artist
aimed to suggest these forms in conventional design.
PHASE IA secret garden, a secluded and enclosed garden room, a
place for intimate contact with nature with in the larger
renaissance garden.
VILLA MEDICI @ FEISOLE :It was designed by Michelozzo di
Bartlommeo (1458 1461) (Cosimo for his son Giovanni) Aesthetically
pleasing and ideological values are represented in the design.
PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE :Scenic potential of the site was
enhanced , from the garden a beautiful panoramic view of the Arno
valley is the city of Florence was emphasized.
DESIGN:
A gate leads from this garden to a terrace , beyond which a long
Pergola overlooks the lower terrace garden with its clipped , cone
shaped Magnolia trees surrounded by lawn is hedges of box.
The upper terrace are decorated with Lemon trees in Terra cota
pots.
The grade change between the pergola is lower terrace garden is
connected with ornamental stairs which is a part of Italian
gardens.
Upper terrace had the panoramic view of the entire city.
PHASE II
Garden was treated as museum
Statues were used extensively in the garden
White marbles were used
Role of water played its part
Fountains and water elements like cascades were created Since
the site is located in hill side the natural stream was
available
VILLA MADAMA:
In 1516, Pope Clement VII commissioned Raphael to design Villa
Madama on Monto Mario on the banks of Tiber
This Villa was designed for supper parties attended by popes and
cardinals , philosophical nobleman , etc
Entrance was placed on the southern side which passes to an
entry court beyond through the entry , large central court has been
placed.
Axial orientation
Water in these gardens was a means of providing mesmerizing,
reflectivity, movement and excitement.
People were able to find the way and water played a great role
in finding the directions.
VILLA D ESTE :
It was built for Ippolito d este II @ Trivoli
Garden is based on rigid and complex principle of axial
planning
Garden is rigid and principle of axial planning is
incorporated
Original entry was from a gate in the outer wall set in the hill
side below
Garden directly enter into the first terrace where there is
beautiful panorama of the surrounding hill became a great viewing
point from the garden
Italian word Belvedese beautiful view . During Renaissance ,
Belvedese became an important means of enjoying the view of gardens
and the surrounding landscape.
The main axis can be viewed from a small terrace
Box wood hedges (bosco was created)
The avenue of 100 fountains makes up the second major cross axis
oriented towards the view.
The avenue consist of 300 fountains which are fed by 3
overlaying canals symbolizing the 3 tributaries of the river - The
Albuneo, The Anlene and The Erculano
At the north east of the 100 fountain, the fountain of Tivoli ,
(oval fountain) is located
The oval fountain with a water theatre creates an environment
for theatrical events and parties
The third transverse axis, the avenue of S.Pietro which consists
of series of fish ponds, which were originally fed from the water
that passed through water organ.
The axis is terminated on one side by the massive water theatre,
the fountain of Neptune is the fountain of organ (which plays music
through its pipes, using water pressure) and the other side by a
terrace overlooking the country side.
The avenue of 100 fountains and the avenue of S.Pietro is
connected by the fountain of dragons located on the central axis
with two curved staircases surrounding it
Continuing the central axis, comes the lowest area of the garden
the rotunda of the Cypress, surrounded by sectioned water gardens
called the fountain of the ESTE eagle.
PHASE III
By the second half of 16th century axial gardens had developed
into a form of mannerist artMaterials are used in a way contrary to
their natureStone was twisted into extravagant, sinuous shapesArt
became popular the public was not often excluded from the earlier
gardens, but in the later gardens, hospitality itself became a
gesture.
COLLODI, VILLA GOARZONI (1652)
Shape of the site was different
The way from the house leads, through the dark over hanging
bosco,
The great vista lies in front the water splashing down the steps
glimpse of parterre, the pools with their gigantic sprays, the
dancing hedges and ends up with the view of the rich open
country
Little garden theatre is found to one side of the upper
terrace.
DEFINITIONS
AVENUE : a tree lined approach to a mansion or other important
structure that is sufficiently wide to accommodate changes.BAROQUE
: a term signifying art and architecture that is robust and grandly
ornamental and full of movement and the play of light and
shade.BELVEDERE : a structure usually elevated, designed for
observing the surrounding landscapeBOSCHETTO : a small compartment
of trees, usually found near the herm ouses and often planted
according to a regular planBOSCO : Italian term for a wooden grove
within a gardenGIARDINO SEGRETO : Italian term for a secret garden,
a secluded and enclosed garden roomHEDGE : compactly planned shrubs
or low growing trees with a dense foliage that is clipped as to
form a solid wall of greenery that arts as a boundary or
screen.LOGGIA : an open sided covered arcade or gallery, usually
attached to a building at ground and upper storey levelPARTERRE : a
French term for a ground plane composed of pattern garden beds.
REFERENCE
http://www.morrisville.edu/programsofstudy/schoolofscienceandtech/architecturalstudiesanddesign/portfolios/2007/gabrielparramerrell_files/frame.htmhttps://www.google.co.in/search?q=villa+madama+italian+gardenhttps://devonbouttedesign.wordpress.com/academia/representation/villa-lante/
